KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- Boeing and Turkish Airlines have finalized an order for seven Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes valued at US$1.9 billion at current list prices.

This order is in addition to the five 777-300ERs that Turkish Airlines ordered in April 2009, bringing their total 777-300ER orders to 12.

The airline currently operates a fleet of 65 Boeing airplanes including Next-Generation 737s and leased 777-300ERs, Boeing said in a statement issued from Seattle on Tuesday.

"The 777-300ER already provides Turkish Airlines with exceptional fuel economy, efficiency, reliability and high levels of cabin comfort for their passengers, combined with unmatched levels of payload and range," said Aldo Basile, vice president of Sales for Europe and Russia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

"This additional order is a further confirmation of Turkish Airline's plans for international expansion and their confidence in the abilities of the 777-300ER to help them meet these goals."

The Boeing 777-300ER is 19 percent lighter than its closest competitor, greatly reducing its fuel requirement. It produces 22 percent less carbon dioxide per seat and costs 20 percent less to operate per seat.

The airplane can seat up to 365 passengers in a three-class configuration and has a maximum range of 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km).

The 777 family is the world's most successful twin-engine, twin-aisle airplane. Fifty-six customers around the world have ordered more than 1,100 777s.

Turkish Airlines is one of the fastest growing and prosperous airlines in the world. It carries approximately 20 million passengers a year, with direct flights to 108 international and 33 domestic destinations.

The airline was founded in 1933 with a fleet of five airplanes that carried a total of 28 passengers. The airline made its first domestic flight in 1933 and the first international flight in 1947.

This order will be posted to the Boeing Orders and Deliveries Web site when it is refreshed on July 30.

-- BERNAMA